Abstract: A method for producing engineered stone slabs which includes: compressing composite material to form compressed composite material; fragmenting the compressed composite material into a plurality of fragments of composite material; depositing colorant in a predefined region onto at least part of side walls of some of the plurality of fragments of composite material; and using a device to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments of composite material into a slab. The method may further include moving one or more of the plurality of fragments without substantially breaking or deforming them to form a channel in the plurality of fragments prior to depositing colorant in the predefined region. The device may include a first press roller and a second press roller; wherein the plurality of fragments pass between the first and second press rollers to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments of composite material into the slab.

Abstract: Obtaining a reference image of a natural stone; producing a first engineered stone slab which approximates an aspect of the reference image of the natural stone; performing an examination of the first engineered stone slab; using the reference image and results of the examination, to create a first masking image; and printing the first masking image onto the first engineered stone slab. Producing a second engineered stone slab which approximates the aspect of the reference image of the natural stone, wherein the first and the second engineered stone slabs provide different approximations, as caused by random variation in a manufacturing process; performing an examination of the second engineered stone slab to obtain results; using the reference image and results of the examination of the second engineered stone slab, to create a second masking image; and printing the second masking image onto the second engineered stone slab.

Abstract: Obtaining a reference image of a natural stone; producing a first engineered stone slab which approximates an aspect of the reference image of the natural stone; performing an examination of the first engineered stone slab; using the reference image and results of the examination, to create a first masking image; and printing the first masking image onto the first engineered stone slab. Producing a second engineered stone slab which approximates the aspect of the reference image of the natural stone, wherein the first and the second engineered stone slabs provide different approximations, as caused by random variation in a manufacturing process; performing an examination of the second engineered stone slab to obtain results; using the reference image and results of the examination of the second engineered stone slab, to create a second masking image; and printing the second masking image onto the second engineered stone slab.

Abstract: An apparatus including a tool device configured to be used in the manufacturing of engineered stone slabs. The tool device may be configured to travel in an x-y plane in order to create a physically disrupted region in a mixture of resin and aggregate minerals. The tool device may have a mechanism configured to vary a width of the physically disrupted region of the mixture while traveling in the x-y plane. The apparatus may further include a spray device, which is configured to deposit colorant in an area in a wake of travel of the tool device in the x-y plane. The spray device may be configured to deposit colorant in an area while the physically disrupted region is being created in the area. The tool device may be a carving device with a V-shaped component. The tool device may be a stirring device having one or more prongs.

Abstract: A method which may include depositing a first mixture containing resin and aggregate minerals into a first mold; preparing a plurality of further mixtures; wherein the plurality of further mixtures, include at least a second mixture and a third mixture; wherein each of the plurality of further mixtures contain at least one of resin, colorant or aggregate minerals, wherein the plurality of further mixtures is combined by using at least one blending technique in order to blend the plurality of further mixtures into a variegated composite mixture; and further including depositing the variegated composite mixture into the first mold; and wherein the at least one blending technique and the depositing of the variegated composite mixture are computer controlled. Each of the plurality of further mixtures may have a higher resin percentage than the first mixture. The variegated composite mixture may have a viscosity value of at least ten thousand centipoise.

Abstract: A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

Abstract: A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

Abstract: A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

Abstract: An apparatus including a delivery device including a tray, and a device for changing the tray from a receiving state to a dumping state; a device for supplying one or more materials to the delivery device, while the tray of the delivery device is in a receiving state; a track device including a track and a motor; and a mold having an elongated opening, wherein the delivery device is configured to move back and forth on the track of the track device in response to the motor of the track device; wherein the track of the track device is substantially parallel to the elongated opening of the mold; and wherein the device for changing the tray from the receiving state to the dumping state causes one or more materials to fall from the tray through the elongated opening of the mold into an inner chamber of the mold.

Abstract: A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, slightly pressed slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The first device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first cylinder. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a robotic apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a second device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

Abstract: A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, slightly pressed slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The first device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first cylinder. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a robotic apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a second device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

Abstract: An apparatus including a controller, and at least two cutting head assemblies. The controller typically includes a computer processor, and a computer memory, having a computer program stored therein. The controller automatically controls the current load of a cutting motor of each of the at least two cutting head assemblies via current sensors, in response to monitoring real time current loads. The controller may also control feed mechanism speed. The feed mechanism may include a conveyor belt. The controller may also be programmed to control a position or height of each of the at least two cutting head assemblies with respect to the feed mechanism. The two or more cutting head assemblies may be attached to a frame, and the controller may control the movement of the frame perpendicular to the direction of movement of feeding mechanism. Cutting head pads may be monitored for wear and replaced if necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus including a computer processor; a first tool device; a first device configured to hold the first tool device; and a second device configured to move the first tool device in x, y, and z directions, when the first tool device is being held by the first device, in response to commands from the computer processor; and a conveyor device having a belt. The first tool device may include a wheel. The first device may be configured with respect to the conveyor device, so that the wheel of the first tool device is configured to be lowered in the z direction into a material located on the belt of the conveyor device, and the first tool device is configured to be moved in the x and y direction, with the wheel simultaneously rotating and rolling through the material on the belt, in response to commands from the computer processor.

Abstract: An apparatus including a delivery device including a tray, and a device for changing the tray from a receiving state to a dumping state; a device for supplying one or more materials to the delivery device, while the tray of the delivery device is in a receiving state; a track device including a track and a motor; and a mold having an elongated opening, wherein the delivery device is configured to move back and forth on the track of the track device in response to the motor of the track device; wherein the track of the track device is substantially parallel to the elongated opening of the mold; and wherein the device for changing the tray from the receiving state to the dumping state causes one or more materials to fall from the tray through the elongated opening of the mold into an inner chamber of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus including a device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, and/or wet slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first lift bar. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a first spray bar having a plurality of nozzles fixed thereto, arranged in a substantially straight line. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first conveyor device including a first conveyor belt; a second conveyor device including a second conveyor belt; a movement device; and a mold device including a mold; wherein the first conveyor device is connected to the second conveyor device so that when the movement device moves the first conveyor device, the second conveyor device also moves with respect to the mold device; wherein the first conveyor belt moves independent of the second conveyor belt; and wherein the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt move independent from the movement device. The apparatus may further include a first and second dispensing devices configured to dispense first and second materials, first and second gate devices to control height, and a computer processor to control the various components and the resulting ratio of first material to second material in a processed slab.

Abstract: An apparatus including a device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, and/or wet slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first lift bar. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a first spray bar having a plurality of nozzles fixed thereto, arranged in a substantially straight line. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first conveyor device including a first conveyor belt; a second conveyor device including a second conveyor belt; a movement device; and a mold device including a mold; wherein the first conveyor device is connected to the second conveyor device so that when the movement device moves the first conveyor device, the second conveyor device also moves with respect to the mold device; wherein the first conveyor belt moves independent of the second conveyor belt; and wherein the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt move independent from the movement device. The apparatus may further include a first and second dispensing devices configured to dispense first and second materials, first and second gate devices to control height, and a computer processor to control the various components and the resulting ratio of first material to second material in a processed slab.